The winter means spending more time indoors. But a nature center is welcoming the public to enjoy the outdoors through its new art exhibit.
Baltimore Woods Nature Center in Marcellus is treating visitors to works depicting Upstate New York’s four seasons. About 30 pieces are on display in their visitor's center through February. Gallery Coordinator Karen Jean Smith said the intention is to bring wisdom and wonder to people and connect them with nature, especially in Central New York.
“Something that we don’t normally think about—'Oh, yes, we want to get outside and we want to go skiing or we want to go bike riding'—but do we think about the fact that without nature, we would not be able to enjoy all of these activities? It just kinda puts that whole concept together for people. That is actually what is happening; you are enjoying nature when you are out there," Smith said.
Smith says outdoor activities during the colder winter weather are tougher on some than others, such as seniors. But the indoor exhibit allows older adults to warmly reminisce about the cold weather outdoor activities they used to enjoy.
“Or they might see a family member in the picture, you know 'Oh, my son does that, you know, the snowboarding. Oh, my daughter does that. Oh, wow. I wish I could have done that when I was younger,'” Smith said.
The current exhibition “Joy in the Outdoors” that runs through Feb. 24 features watercolor paintings by Sally Stormon. The Auburn-based artist's work captures the Adirondacks, where she loves to canoe, the Syracuse and Cazenovia areas, Song Mountain and springtime scenes in Auburn.
Stormon said she hopes people will gain an enhanced love for nature by viewing her paintings.
“That they would do some do something for the nature center or something for the natural world in general...whatever their heart desired—something like doing more hiking, more recreating or even just giving money to the nature center," Stormon said.
A portion of the sale of Stormon’s paintings on display will benefit Baltimore Woods.